Undefeated Nick Newell returns at WSOF 7 in non-tourney bout

Nick Newell (10-0), a highly touted and undefeated lightweight prospect, is now slated to fight at World Series of Fighting’s Dec. 7 event. There, he meets Sabah Fadai (7-2) at WSOF 7.

Newell, a congenital amputee, confirmed the fight via Twitter following an initial report from SI.com.

Although initially expected to meet Gesias Cavalcante (18-7-1) in a lightweight tournament semifinal, Newell wrote on Facebook that “JZ” wasn’t available for the December event and that the tourney has been canceled.

WSOF 7 takes place at PNE Agrodome in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The main card airs on NBC Sports Network.

Newell, who turned pro in 2009, has posted nine stoppages in 10 career wins. In his most recent bout, the 27-year-old made his WSOF debut and scored a first-round submission victory over Keon Caldwell at WSOF 4.

Although some were quick to dismiss Newell as little more than a novelty, the Massachusetts-based fighter has continued to excel against increasingly tougher competition. Born with a partially developed left arm that ends just after his elbow, Newell nonetheless has had quick success in MMA after successful high school and college wrestling careers.

Fadai, a 28-year-old Iranian-born Canadian, recently has competed for MFC, one of the country’s largest promotions. He’s also a finisher. He most recently fought a year ago at MFC 35, where he submitted Cody Krahn for his seventh stoppage in seven career wins.

A total of 26 fighters got their chance to shine on Saturday as part of UFC 190 at Rio de Janeiro’s HSBC Arena. Now that UFC 190 is in the books, it’s time to commence MMAjunkie’s “Three Stars” ceremony.

The man known for cranking submissions to the point of injury added eye-gouging to his repertoire. But is the controversy of Rousimar Palhares too essential to his bizarre, awful appeal for his employers to take any meaningful action against him?